Tension and adjusting device for vests and other garments



April 12, 1932. 5 GORDON 1,854,133

TENSION AND ADJUSTI NG DEVICE FOR VESTS AND OTHER GARMENTS Filed Oct. 26, 1929 jun i 5'- 16 'f INVENTOR v WITNE ES [7 17 I Maarzcefl GOIZZOIZ MQMWZV ;"--7- A? BY 10 ATTORN EYS Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES MAURICE B. GORDON, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY TENSION AND ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR VESTS AND OTHER GARMENTS Application filed October 26, 1929. Serial No. 402,644.

This invention relates to a tension and adjusting device particularly adapted for vests, although the'same may be used for other garments, the structure being such that when in 5 use it provides a proper constricting structure while adapting itself for ready removal so that the vest or other garment may be cleaned without injuring the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension and adjusting device for a vest, wherein the principal parts may be formed of elastic material and so mounted as to be readily adjustable but substantially proof against accidental slipping.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vest mounted on a figure, the vest being provided with a tension and adjusting device disclosing an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear view of the lower part of the vest shown in Fig. 1, the View illustrating partly in perspective the tension and adjusting device;

Figure 8 is a sectional view through Figure 2 on the line 33;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view through Figure 2 on the line 44.

Figure 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the buckle shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a vest, and 2 and 3 indicate attaching straps which are connected to the vest by suitable lines of stitching 4 and 5. The end of strap 2 is looped around the metal link or loop 6 and the extreme end is held in place preferably by a line of stitching 4. Strap 3 is also provided with a link or loop 7 in the. identical manner as strap 2.

The extensions 8 and 9 are free to swing but the remaining parts of the straps 2 and 3 are stitched firmly in place, so that there will be ample connections with the vest in order that the tension anad adjusting member 10 may properly function. Member 10 consists of an adjusting elastic strap 11 and a buckle 12. The elastic may be any good grade of elastic now on the market and is threaded through the links or loops 6 and 7 and arranged so that the buckle 12 will connect the ends together. As shown in Fig. 4, it will be seen that as the buckle is formed and arranged a pull on the ends of member 11 will result in the buckle becoming tight, rather than loose. This buckle is provided with a swinging catch 13 having teeth or prongs 14 adapted to penetrate the end section 15 of member 11. The end-section 16 of member 11 is looped around the rear portion 17 of buckle 12 and is firmly held in place by suitable stitching 16. The body 18 of buckle 12 is formed with a front portion 18 merging into a substantially rectangular extension 18 projecting at an obtuse angle from the body. Upstanding spurs 19 project from 165 one edge of the intermediate bar 19 located at the front portion of the buckle body and coact with the spurs 14 for clamping the parts of elastic member 10 together, as shown in Figure 4. The extension 18 is formed 5 with a bar 13 on which the catch 13 is swingably mounted. By adjusting buckle 12 the effective length of member 10 may be varied so as to take care of different conditions.

When the member 10 has been correctly '1 mounted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vest 1 may be used in the usual manner and a desired tension maintained on the bottom part of the vest to cause the same to fit snugly around the body. If the tension should be too great, buckle 12 may be adjusted to take care of this condition, or if there should not be enough tension, the effective length of member 10 may be reduced by adjusting buckle 12. When it becomes necessary to clean the vest member 10 is removed, and after the vest has been cleaned it is again restored to the position shown in Figure 2. This avoids any injury to the elastic during the cleaning action.

I claim In a tensioning and adjusting device for vests and other garments having an adjusting strap, a buckle connecting the ends of said strap together, said buckle including a substantially rectangular body, one end of said strap being permanently connected to the rear portion of said body, the front portion being provided with an intermediate bar formed with upstanding web engaging spurs z fl 

